Cedrick "Doggie" Murray, the hitman from the dreadful Stone Crusher gang, was shot down by the police in 2010. From his body were recovered his best friend—a 9mm Cigpro pistol—as well as a surprising diary: the true confession of a hitman. Extract from Gangs of Jamaica.

“It started from 12 years old or 11,” he wrote in what The Observer calls a mixture of perfect and imperfect grammar, “and the lifestyle just grew rapidly into many criminal behaviour, and prison taught me well—positive and negative.” In the early 1990s, Doggie was caught in the war raging between the two gangs of Montego Bay (…). When the police intervened, Doggie ran away to the States where he learnt to kill. When he came back to Jamaica, his bloody talent was soon exploited—it took him a few months to bring the parish over the 100 murders a year. Doggie worked behind the scenes, contract killings were his sole occupation. He travelled all over the island, killing people. Meanwhile, the police eliminated most of the Dons of the gang.

Soon isolated, Doggie appeared on the most wanted list in 2002, and sought refuge in the garrison of Christopher “Dudus” Coke, Tivoli Gardens. “I am loyal to the Coke family and my gun will always be ready,” he wrote. During this period, according to his diary, he felt lonely and desperate. He missed his beloved wife and kid. In January 2008, informed of his presence, the police raided the community. In the middle of the chaos, Doggie fled from his flat a few minutes before the police raided it. The operation cost the lives of six persons.

Doggie was on the run. He went through two difficult years in Tivoli, where he had the opportunity to prove his loyalty to the Coke family when the police and the army raided Tivoli Gardens in 2010. The gun battle lasted three days, and Doggie fought like a lion. “I fired my AK until my finger was numb. I eat gun powder until my throat soar.” By the grace of God, he survived the raid. “My Don is free,” he rejoiced as Christopher “Dudus” Coke ran away in the middle of the fight—or even before. He was not arrested until a few days later.

Doggie’s situation worsened. He ended up in the hills of St Ann, haunted by his suicidal mood, obsessed by his beautiful ebony princess and his baby boy. “I am living but I have no life. (...) This is a wasted life. I don’t even have a roof over my head. I am all over, I miss my kids dem so much, life at times can be like the quick sand.” Doggie plunged into the depths of introspection. “Today is just another day of mixed emotions. I fight a deep inner fight of fear, depression and anger. I had so much to offer but I allow my feeling to drive me to anger and this is part of the result, life of a fugitive.” Doggie tried not to give up hope but his princess let him down, tired of the stress and the beating. He wrote that he understood her, and held no grudge against her. He missed his baby and expressed concern for his several kids. Doggie was expecting the end, full of remorse but with no regrets. “I make no excuse for my past. I am a real gangsta, hardcore.”

Rico is an outspoken Don. He wants his kids to "turn police or soldier": "I'm 22," he says. "You hardly go over 25 in badman business. Me live a useless life, man. Corruption, that's where badness starts and that's where it ends."

The two following pictures sum up the life of a Jamaican Don: His name was Navardo Hodges, one of the former top lieutenants of the Clansman gang, in Spanish Town. On the first picture, he proudly holds an M16 in front of the camera, laughing with his friends and smoking a spliff (joint) of ganja (marijuana)—the paramount of his career. The second picture features his severed head, as discovered on the step of a Spanish Town mall, on Decembre 22, 2011. His body was recovered a couple of hours later on the Spanish Town Bypass. Navardo Hodges had stood against the ruling Don of the gang, involuntarily killing the latter’s sister. Ironically, the Police had put a price on his head. They finally got it, free of charge, delivery included.